14 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

That's not true both got injured at the same time. King rates Jefferson I haven't heard him rate Kentfield.

Felt like he was primed for a round 1 debut before he did his knee.

4 hours ago, Greg Schneider said:

How do we get Windsor going? Seemed to find the ball easier in the last quarter when he was at half back, albeit his ball use and decision making were still bad. I think we’ve seen enough of him at centre bounce to know it’s a bit premature to have him in there, time to give someone else a chance as it’s not working.

Agree. I think he has the physical attributes to do what King wants from the HBF, but it doesn't seem his natural spot. King obviously likes players being able to play multiple roles, so no harm done with him learning a new spot and us winning. Would be different if it was costing us. I wouldn't mind him playing in front of the ball a bit with his kicking ability.

3 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

Felt like he was primed for a round 1 debut before he did his knee.

Reckon this week would be a good opportunity to give Kentfield a go in the absence of Petty - though we probably want someone with TMacs size if Lynch is playing

3 hours ago, binman said:

I thought he was pretty good actually. 23 disposals (18 kicks, 5 handballs), 8 marks, 10 intercept and third most fantasy points (though admittedly that's a rubbish measure) is a pretty good game for a key defender. As noted in the match report:

'Tom McDonald stood tall in defence and across the ground, using his experience to intercept strongly and provide a steady presence behind the ball. He collected 23 disposals, 10 intercept possessions and eight marks'

He was good. The question is was he so good that we have to pick him or can we back in CJ or X Taylor (or both) as the third tall.

Xavier probably didn’t quite impact enough in the air and CJ (if fit) is a bit hit and miss aerially. In theory they get a little help with height from Howes and Kolt, but there’s probably not a standout aerialist from that group.

11 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

B: Howes, Lever, Bowey

HB: Tholstrup, Turner, Langdon

C: Langford, Steele, Windsor

HF: Fritsch, van Rooyen, L.Pickett

F: Jefferson, Mihocek, Chandler

FOLL: Gawn, Butters, K.Pickett

IC: Lindsay, Culley, Sparrow, Sharp, Heath

EMERG: Salem, Melksham, Viney

THAT'S A PREMIERSHIP WINNING TEAM!

5 minutes ago, D Rev said:

Reckon this week would be a good opportunity to give Kentfield a go in the absence of Petty - though we probably want someone with TMacs size if Lynch is playing

Kentfield should be playing in the forwardline imo, but I'd give Jefferson a week or two more and see if he can find some form first.

Tmac is the Petty replacement.

2 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

Kentfield should be playing in the forwardline imo, but I'd give Jefferson a week or two more and see if he can find some form first.

Tmac is the Petty replacement.

Agree, I think the forward line and pinch-hitting in the ruck would be great. It'd allow JVR to stay closer to goal at least. I just thought Richmond would be a good team for him to debut against - IF Lynch wasn't playing

26 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Butters currently plays for another team….

I recon we should play Opera in the forward pocket next to Checkers. That will freakout Harris Andrews on Prelim final day.

19 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Absolutely.

It’s’ve watched the first half of the game again. Heath was diabolicaleef no coincidence imv that Rooh was able to deliver when needed due to the very fact that he wasn't spending so much needed energy, nor getting beaten up, having to play his usual chop out relief role for Max.

We were also able to throw Max forward in short stints to mix things up a bit and stretch the opposition as highlighted.

Moose also managed to hold his own a bit in his ruck contests.

Surely the Moose stays!

I have watched the first half of the game again. Heath was diabolical.

On 19/04/2026 at 21:30, WERRIDEE said:

McDonald won't replace Petty Lindsay will and Henderson will replace Kossie if he is suspended.

I keep saying it to you, you can give up the Henderson dream, he won’t ever play a game at AFL level again

We have to have an eye on the Swans game. Grundy is the other form ruck in the comp at the min. We want big Max cheery ripe for that game.

The Moose holds his spot- even if it means big Max can spend 10% more time on the bench it will be worth it.

Edited yesterday at 03:351 day by Colm

50 minutes ago, stinga said:

A lot of people don't get the interchange rule. By way of explanation when we increased the bench to 5 they did not increase the number of interchanges. It remained at 75.

Heath gets 27% game time and some think that is a waste but it's not.

Lets say you replace Heath with Lindsay. You would automatically try and give Lindsay 70% game time at least. You then look at your lowest value player and lets say it is Laurie. You'd still want to give him at least 60% game time.

That means your better players spend less time on the ground. Do you really want to reduce 7 of your better players game time by 5%, just so the least valuable player gets it.

Great points. I'd like to see time on field break downs across the competition as the season progresses. This is where AI could really assist in managing individual workload comparisons combined with a "secret" weighted team contribution factor that favours the historically better performed players.

It’s interesting, if you’d have asked me a few weeks ago I might’ve said the speed we’re playing with means Viney might be the odd man out if/when he gets healthy this year.

But given how poorly we rank in both ground ball gets and conceding points from stoppages, I wonder if we still need his grunt work in the midfield.

6 minutes ago, The Cult of Disco Turner said:

It’s interesting, if you’d have asked me a few weeks ago I might’ve said the speed we’re playing with means Viney might be the odd man out if/when he gets healthy this year.

But given how poorly we rank in both ground ball gets and conceding points from stoppages, I wonder if we still need his grunt work in the midfield.

you can never have too many good players

viney if fit is a walk-up start; at the moment bill laurie is getting a game

Has there been any word on how Viney is going with his rehab? Still says TBC on the injury list.

Is he even a real chance to get back this year?

4 minutes ago, The Cult of Disco Turner said:

It’s interesting, if you’d have asked me a few weeks ago I might’ve said the speed we’re playing with means Viney might be the odd man out if/when he gets healthy this year.

But given how poorly we rank in both ground ball gets and conceding points from stoppages, I wonder if we still need his grunt work in the midfield.

Another good tackler in the middle to help out Steele. Should limit the oppositions offensive capability, and hopefully increase ours. The issue with Viney is that he bombs the ball inside 50, and doesn't get rid of the ball by hand quick enough. Also, he can only play one position. I'm on the fence about adding him to our midfield mix. Ask me last week - after the Essendon loss - I'd have said 'get him in there', this week I'd lean the other way.

2 minutes ago, Colm said:

Has there been any word on how Viney is going with his rehab? Still says TBC on the injury list.

Is he even a real chance to get back this year?

Injury list comes out later on today so it’ll be interesting to see if there’s any time line or if it still is TBC

Edited yesterday at 03:591 day by Dees051321

33 minutes ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

I recon we should play Opera in the forward pocket next to Checkers. That will freakout Harris Andrews on Prelim final day.

So no Irish jig? Just get the opera pumping?

2 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

We've had a habit of having young talls 'breakout' in this match over the years.

Jesse Hogan in 2015 when he did a number on Alex Rance.

JVR in 2023 with his three goal final quarter.

Disco Turner in 2024 in his first game as a forward kicking three.

Based on that logic, I'm backing in Matty Jefferson for a few snags this weekend.

2 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

We've had a habit of having young talls 'breakout' in this match over the years.

Jesse Hogan in 2015 when he did a number on Alex Rance.

JVR in 2023 with his three goal final quarter.

Disco Turner in 2024 in his first game as a forward kicking three.

Based on that logic, I'm backing in Matty Jefferson for a few snags this weekend.

In bread with onions, relish and mustard!

6 hours ago, Greg Schneider said:

How do we get Windsor going? Seemed to find the ball easier in the last quarter when he was at half back, albeit his ball use and decision making were still bad. I think we’ve seen enough of him at centre bounce to know it’s a bit premature to have him in there, time to give someone else a chance as it’s not working.

I see him as a pure winger/outside mid. He reminds me a bit of Robbie Flower when he gets a gallop going.

From today's Age

An article on what each team needs to do to improve:

The Demons have been a feel-good story. Under new coach Steven King, they were expected to be in a semi-rebuilding mode, but their attacking style has them firmly in the finals hunt. But there is still work to do. They have struggled at stoppages, conceding more than 40 points per game from this area, and need to find a better balance in contested possession differential. They are among the worst teams for ground-ball gets.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/at-quarter-time-of-season-2026-this-is-what-your-club-needs-to-fix-20260414-p5znoa.html

And on Richmond:

As Champion Data states when detailing the Tigers’ woes, it’s “alarm bells everywhere”. We thought the Tigers would take a leap, however minor, this season, but since their four-loss to Carlton in round one, their defeats have been by 68, 60, 42, 56 and 75 points. Yes, they have a long injury list and are rebuilding, but does that explain why they rank last for points scored, scores from clearance differential, scores and goals per inside 50 entry and shot-at-goal accuracy? The Tigers have also sleep-walked into quarters, having been outscored by 142 points in the first 10 minutes of quarters – ranked last. Coach Adem Yze’s overall record has slipped to seven wins and 45 losses, heaping pressure on him, and the club’s overall list management strategy.

4 hours ago, rpfc said:

Butters currently plays for another team….

Not for long

During the later stages of the Goodwin era I gave up trying to predict selection. It was a no win situation. In the early stages of King's reign, I think it will be just as difficult as he looks over what he has at his disposal and what he wants to try. The other factor is the list of injured we have, specially to the mid-sized/small defender stocks.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

Whichever mob of Kingy's Kids get a run, I believe they will play the freedom and enjoyment that they displayed last round.

Loved the way Kingy took responsibility for the team preparation for the game against Essendon. It shows me he is a quick study and prepared to acknowledge his mistakes.

Looking forward to it.

Just read the Richmond injury report and sounds like Lynch is definitely in. That's a shame because I think he has the potential to trouble us. A big game from Tmac will be needed.

No Taranto, Nank, Rioli, Banks and Mansell is handy though.

Now that the injury list have come in I'll do my side again.

B: Howes, Lever, Tholstrup

HB: Langdon, Turner, Windsor

C: Langford, Sparrow, Fritsch

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, Sharp

F: Jefferson, Mihocek, L.Pickett

FOLL: Gawn, Steele, K.Pickett

IC: Taylor, Culley, Laurie, Jiath, Heath

EMERG: Henderson, McDonald, Cross

Edited 15 hours ago15 hr by WERRIDEE